Below is a note from Jim Trickett regarding our Individual Landowners’ Observation data. Also attached is the required Landowner Individual August Census form…….or you can use Jim’s shortened version attached above.

“The Observation data is needed to finish the survey. It needs to be turned in as soon as possible [Sept. 1st]. The survey sheets you have should be tallied and that data passed along to me. The sheets can be placed in my mailbox – 1278 Oakridge Road – the green address sign is close to the mailbox, but not on it.

If you would prefer, I will accept the data you have added up and averaged at bottom of the sheet. Below is a form you can fill in the data and email by return email to jtrickett@att.net. So either bring the sheets to my mailbox or send back the summarized data sheet below [via email].

With this data, I think I can furnish the data sheet for Oakridge [to Texas Parks & Wildlife Department biologists as required for our MLD].”

Attached is the individual landowner’s deer census form for August 2017 for your immediate use should you not have received it before this post.

All Oakridge Ranch property owners are required to complete this form and submit it as part of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Managed Land for Deer (MLD) program for the Ranch. These are sent to our county Wildlife Biologists to use for management of our deer herd for the upcoming season.

Please submit your completed form to Jim Trickett at the address at the bottom of the attached form by Sept 1st.

We appreciate your cooperation and participation in your MLD!

SURVEY DATES:
We conduct our annual deer survey during the month of August. We encourage all who are interested in the road survey we do to come on out. Surveys will begin and end at Jim Trickett’s house LOCATED AT 1278 Oakridge Rd. You may bring a beverage of your choice.

Saturday, Aug 12 Gather at 7:15PM, Start at 8:00PM Visit while trucks are out if not counting

Saturday, Aug 19 (Taylor Reunion) Come on out and visit

Friday, Aug 25 Gather at 7:15PM, Start at 8:00PM Visit while trucks are out if not counting

Your personal survey results should be turned in to Jim Trickett no later than September 1st.

ANNUAL PERMIT MEETING

Saturday, September 23, 9:00AM at the Community Center

ORWMA Dues $20 / Deer Hunt Participation Fee $20

There are several new regulations that will impact hunters at Oakridge that will be discussed at this meeting

Due to a change in TPWD regulations ORWMA will be responsible for printing the doe permits and will have them at this meeting

A list of deer checkers with their contact information will be provided at the meeting.

If you don’t attend this meeting and pickup your permits then they will be available by appointment only

DOE SEASON

September 30, 2017 to February 28, 2018

Does may be taken with a MLD permit only

Does may be harvested with any legal means (firearm, bow, crossbow, muzzle loader etc.) during this season.

All does must be checked in with an ORWMA deer checker or the TPWD biologist. The deer must be field dressed when checked in.

You will receive a replacement permit each time you check in a doe.

BUCK SEASONS

The TPWD seasons, restrictions, and bag limits for Colorado County apply. For example: September 30 – November 3 is Archery Only Season, Bucks may only be harvested with archery equipment. Youth, General, and Muzzleloader seasons and restrictions all apply to buck harvest.

All bucks must be checked in with an ORWMA deer checker or the TPWD biologist. The deer must be field dressed when checked in.

ORWMA will be hosting our Annual Whitetail Deer Spotlight Census in August this year. The census dates are as follows:

1. Sat – Aug 12: We will gather at 7:15PM. The trucks will be on the start line at 8:PM. Anyone who does not ride in one of the trucks may stay and visit while trucks are out.

2. Sat – Aug 19: There may be a spot or two still available in one of the pick-up trucks for counting, but come on anyway and just sit and talk.

3. Friday – Aug 25: Gather at 7:15PM. Trucks on start line at 8:PM. Visit while trucks are out if you’re not counting.

The numbers are added to the individual landowner totals and turned in on September 1st to our TPWD Wildlife Biologist. These numbers help determine the number of doe tags Oakridge Ranch Wildlife Management Association receives for the upcoming Whitetail Deer Season.

We will meet at the Trickett’s house, 1278 Oakridge Rd. You may bring a beverage and/or snack of your choice.

Please contact Jim Trickett if you would like to drive or participate in the count. Jim’s number is 281-507-7572.

Below is a note received from Mark Lange, the Colorado County Wildlife Biologist and CCWMA to all members of Oakridge Ranch WMA.

“Good morning, CCWMA members,

Just a couple quick reminders this morning as the general season opener is fast approaching.

1) CCWMA leadership would like to remind you that If you haven’t already joined the whitetail contest, please try to do so before November 5th. Your $15 entry fee puts you in the running for the $9,100 in prizes. We are really urging you to get your kids involved (deadline October 29th for youth). A complete contest entry form can be found on www.ccwma.org on the home page. You can mail your entry to Mickey Mangum or drop it by my office and I will get it to him.

2) Like I discussed at the meetings and to everyone that has come to my office for tags, the CWD testing efforts are still on-going and will be for years to come. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in my efforts to collect samples. After you harvest any adult deer, simply save the head on ice and contact me at my office or via email (Mark.Lange@tpwd.texas.gov). I will be checking my phone at the office for at least the first two weekends of general season so just leave me a message and I will return your call ASAP.

Thank you for your assistance and continued support of CCWMA. Good luck this season.”

Well, here we are in April already – cool mornings, warm afternoons with plenty of sunshine and an adequate amount of rain. The grass is growing and the birds are nesting. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of a couple of things regarding our whitetail herd and turkey flock.

The early breeding does will begin fawning soon. Please be careful when you are mowing your tall grass. The does hide their newborns in it and the fawns are instinctively not going to move when danger approaches. This brings me to the next reminder. If you find a fawn and you do not see the doe around, don’t worry. Mom knows where she left her baby. Take a moment to admire nature’s creation then leave the fawn(s) undisturbed. Mom will take care of the rest.

Many of you have had the opportunity to observe the turkeys courting this spring. Our local flock has really grown over the years. They will be nesting soon in nests made on the ground, hiding their nests in tall grasses and scrub thickets. That’s something else to watch for.

Rio Grande Turkeys – Toms showing off for the hen; Photo by B.LaVergne, March 2013

My last comment would be for those who feed supplemental protein. You might consider continuing feeding for another couple of months. Right now, there is plenty of natural forage available for the deer but demands are high for a lactating doe. A doe will pass on any protein she takes in to her fawn(s). A little boost now could help them get thru the dry time of summer.

The picture above was taken by Linda Petter of a new fawn found by Larry in their yard here at Oakridge. As noted below does often leave their fawns for several hours in tall grass while they go find food. Please check your grass over prior to mowing to ensure there are none hidden in your grass. You might also think about not mowing a couple of areas in order to provide places for the does to hide their young. We are still having new fawns born here at the Ranch, some as late as August.

Doe with new Fawn, Photo by J.D. Ray, May 2015

Our does have begun dropping their fawns as seen in the picture above. Take care when mowing around your place. A doe will leave her fawns in tall grasses while she feeds. A fawn has no scent for the first few days of its life, giving the it time to get stronger. Thanks, J.D., for the nice picture!

ALL of Oakridge Ranch is included in a Managed Land Deer Permit administered by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

ALL deer taken must be checked in with one of our designated deer checkers to insure accurate harvest data required by TPWD.

Antlerless Deer may only be taken with a MLD Permit issued by TPWD & ORWMA’s Deer Management Program. You cannot use the doe tags on your license on Oakridge Ranch.

ALL Oakridge Ranch property owners are members (active or not) of Oakridge Ranch Wildlife Management Association sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife. To become an active member of ORWMA, please contact us at oakridgeranchwma@gmail.comor call one of the ORWMA officers.